The National League Championship Series begins tonight. For the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall (tied for the MLB record) the Phillies and the Dodgers are the last remaining teams in the senior circuit.

Cole Hamels, fresh off paternity leave, will take to
the hill tonight for the Phillies. His last game was certainly not his best postseason performance. In an abbreviated start against the Rockies last week, he allowed four runs on four hits in five innings. On the other hand, he was lights out against the Dodgers during the regular season with a complete game shutout at Chavez Ravine. Dodger hitters are .228/.261/. 368 lifetime with 31 hits and 29 strikeouts in 136 combined at bats.

The matchup on paper favors Cole; after that though, the bullpen numbers are not as favorable – particularly for Scott Eyre and more recently Brad Lidge. One could surmise that the longer Cole pitches, the better chance the Phillies have.

On the flip side, we have Clayton Kershaw – another young gun. Don’t let his 8-8 record (0-2 against the Phils) this season fool you, his 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7 homers in 171 games are the numbers to focus on tonight. This lefty is stingy with his fastball and nasty curve. He has a tendency to work the outside corner against lefties at the plate. We know this guy has good stuff but the question remains – can the 21-year old handle the pressure of the postseason and the Phillies lineup?

Your Gameday Beer – Kenzinger
Tonight the Philadelphia Brewery brings you Kenzinger, named after the lovely corner of the city known as Kensington. The beer evokes many of the same feelings as the 19125. Its retro facade hides a classic beer taste – yet it won’t go down without a strong bitter bite. Have some perogies alongside it for dinner, then sit back and enjoy some NLCS for dessert. – By Brian

I like how the Phillies and Dodgers and playing tonight and NOT the yankees, nor is TBS even broadcasting the yankees. Any yet, almost the entire pregame show was spent talking about the yankees. Good grief, I know I should be used to it, but come on, not even the same network! … or DAY?!

Pedro in game 2 is a mistake. Blanton our 2nd best pitcher has not started at all. What a waste Charlie. We owe Pedro nothing. 97.5 Were killing Chip about the TBS crew that did the other series. Saying how bad they were and killing the Phillies. LOL

The MLB mediacenter video and audio had always worked fine for me, so I thought the special post-season multi-view would add something to the game-watching experience. All it added was aggravation. And if a computer professional can’t get it to work, it’s crap.

“Can’t even compare Koufax to Kershaw at 21. Kershaw is far superior.” LOL. Funny. Oh and by the way, Table, the Phillies sold out EVERY SINGLE home game this season. Just sayin. I really highly doubt the Dodgers led the league in attendance this year. Especially if they cant even sell out game on of the NLCS.

Kershaw and Hamels look strong. Should be a pitchers’ battle. We need to play small ball in this one. And RYAN — your mother should wash your filthy mouth out with soap. Have you no decency? What would Whitey and Harry have said about your vulgarity? Clean it up, fella.

Table, I wouldnt really classify the balls hit by Utley especially as a hard hit ball, and it carried pretty good, Howard? Not hard hit for him, it did carry pretty well. Just because the ball doesnt leave the ball park doesnt mean it didnt carry.

…I see yet another jerk$ff has decided to come on here and try to make him/herself feel “special.” It’s 1-0. Somebody has to score 1st…. We beat you 4-1 on the way to WS title last year. Your trash talking means 0 until the Dodgers win another WS title. Thanks for playing Mr. 1988.

I really hope Hamels works in the offseason to better his curve, because these guys are going to kill him if they’re just going to choose between fastball and changeup. Not worried yet, though; Kershaw’s made some mistakes and we’ll make him pay sooner or later.

I remember being really annoyed last year during the NLCS thinking that the Fox announcers were clearly routing for the Dodgers. In the bottom of the third, the announcers are at least tolerable. Let’s Go Phils!

That wasn’t the first pitch out of the strike zone that was called a strike for Hamels. Just noting the latest one. Not worth arguing about. I imagine you also think Loney interfered with Victorino on the run down as well. Nice gift walk to Howard there. But I guess that’s more Dodger bias for you.

This is why they play the game. Too many look at how the Phillies line-up has done against Kershaw, and were saying this would be a butt whoopin. You can never tell. Right now they are in it, and hopefully they can do something today, but so far, Kershaw has the upper hand. Nice to Howard walk, maybe Werth can come through.

The Phillies can’t wait till the 7th inning to score some runs. Won’t happen against the Dodgers BP. Positive sign is that there was almost three home run by the Phillies. Utley/Howard and Werth all hit the ball hard.

yeah, bad at bat by Utley and the Phils are down by 1 in the 4th, they are really pressing. i hope Amaro recognizes that and trades Utley while his value is high. I hear Padilla might be available if we are lucky.

Uh saying “I imagine you also think Loney interfered with Victorino on the run down as well.” is COMPLETE Dodger bias. LOL. And pretty idiotic to think that Phillies fans cant call things fair unlike “Nice gift walk to Howard there.” Unlike you, and I can see things fairly, LOL. Victorino SCREWED UP big time on the base paths. With one out at the time, I dont think he should have left the bag at all and tagged up to go to 2nd, but instead he nearly rounded 2nd.

Ed R is correct. Alot of people are starting to get offended on here. Im not sure what happened the “tough” Philly fans, but people getting offended because another fan has a harsh reaction to a player is kind of annoying.

Looks like Hamels may have calmed down. I wouldnt classify the first innings very stellar, but 3 and 4 have been much better. still only 1-0. Over all good start, hopefully he can keep this going, and not give up another run. I still dont have alot on confidence in our BP at this point.

Im not going to Lie, I was starting to get a little worried after the Homer. 2 hits in the first inning, and a pretty high pitch count going into the 2nd inning, then the Homer, I was starting to get worried, but he looked to have calmed down quite a bit. Now lets see if the offense can get a hit with RISP.

My computer is a little slow, so my comments are going to be slow, but back to J-Roll. Not a good outcome, but not a bad at bat. I would have liked to see him take that last pitch, but thats being knit picky I know it. Either way, get to 3-1 is not bad. But it does look like Victorino let that idiotic baserunning get to his head.

Awesome, and it’s not just about the big hitters hitting homers either. Unsuspecting Ruiz hits a 4-bagger, but its Rollins putting the ball in play and advancing on wild pitches and Chase walking before Howard hits a double on a rope.

The Phillies can hit and after Cole got into a groove I just want all the prognosticators to choke on their Dodger love. They don’t have to admit they were wrong, so long as that’s how it plays out.

Ok, forgive me for admitting this but I feel like I have formed a bond with some of you.

A few nights ago after the Phillies had given up 3 runs in the 8th vs the Rockies I started pacing around the house…it’s what I do. Anyway, I saw my wifes black head band just sitting there, so I put it on just to joke around. I do stupid things like that.

Anyway a few minutes later the Phillies rally started and the rest is history. After the game I told my wife that I would have to wear the head band from here on out because it clearly was powerful. She laughed, I laughed, whatever.

Tonight, Phils are losing, not really hitting so what do I do? I look for the headband, find it in time for the top of the 5th inning to start and, well we all just saw what happened.

Brian, I guess the hate is spread out pretty evenly between the Dodgers, Yankees, Angels. Not sure how anyone can like Ethier, Swisher, Teixiera, Arod, Burnett, Sabathia and I can’t support LA and their douche bag fans who think that living in Southern California is something to be proud of instead of ashamed of.

I hope that it wasnt going to be one awesome half inning total. I walked out for a bathroom break come back to see 1 out, runners on the corners, so I dont know how Cole Pitched, but then to see Utley with the error. Come on guys. Dont give them god damn runs.

Terri Says:
October 15th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
The Phillies always fall a part late in the game. Thanks Utley.

Are you f ing kidding me? already this is starting? Didn’t they just win in the 9th a few days ago. Isn’t that considered late in the game? Are they still wining? I’m going to have to start banning people

ok two things…why wasn’t manny intentionally walked with 1st base open?kemp good sure but manny one of the best hitters to play the game and whats going on out there in the middle of that infield?thats the 2nd straight game we could have an inning ending dp and it cost us you know.

Brian I don’t think Utley would have had him if he made the throw, Rollins could not make the transfer quickly, supposedly it got stuck in the webbing of his glove. That was just a botched play all around.

What is the point of having Rollins on this team?
last year screamed about getting rid of burrell on this website during the playoff, and he was gone. I think i am going to launch a campaign to get rid of Rollins.

Well we will still have the lead, but if comparing Bullpens. umm, I am still not confident with our bullpen. Hopefully they can keep this game, but it all depends on who shows up. If Mad Dog shows up, than awesome, but if Ryan Madson who pitched against the Rockies in game 4, well thats not good.

I know it’s after the fact, but you don’t pitch to Manny in that spot. Period. That irked me last year in the NLCS. Manny was the only guy killing us yet Charlie continued to pitch to him. Makes no sense what so ever. Error’s happen. That was a physical mistake. Bleep happens. But the brain cramps/mental mistakes is what kills you in baseball. That 2run blast is on Charlie… He used to coach him, he should know better… You have to make somebody else beat you in that spot.

Jeff, I understand Manny’s playoff history but the way he has been hitting lately no way I put him on to give Kemp a chance to tie the game. You had to pitch to Manny in that spot and unfortunately he hit a dinger.

ray, the only one who is acting like a moron is James, dont start pointing at everyone for turning on the team, and wanting to trade (a gold glover) players. “can’t play defense” LOL. Thats a pretty stupid comment.

Anyone else cringe when the TBS announcers were remarking on how heartened the Phillies must be by Cole Hamels? As soon as they did that, I knew the Dodgers would rally. It’s like they’re doing their best to jinx us out of a repeat.

But come on, folks, it isn’t over, we’re still ahead, and Hamels will settle down. I’m sure of it. This will probably be his last inning. My only question is, who’ll pitch the 7th?

yeah i’m hard pressed to get angry with hamels…he got the double play ball he needed…like Corey stated early in his article Hamels has had some bad luck (.325 BABIP) which that flub certainly attests to. Doesn’t mean I think a third pitch is still in order in the off season. Could have keep Manny a little more off balance and perhaps produced a better outcome.

I remember, Brian. That four-game series in LA on the heels of that Yankee series is when we knew something was wrong with Lidge. He does have his demons, and I think Lidge can overcome those. I’ll say confidence-wise, he’s 75% back. His confidence will jump to pretty close to 100% if he gets the save out here.

Of course, that’s if Hamels, and now Durbin, hand him a lead. Poor Cole – even that changeup he threw to Manny wasn’t bad, it’s just Manny plays as well against us as Vlad Guerrero used to when he was with the Expos.

mycruzincooler… Rollins is a serious liability on this team, not a spark plug anymore. He didnt hit well in last year’s playoffs. Then he struggles during this regular season (i dont care that he did better in second half, his avg is still terrible), and he’s just about the worst player on the Phillies team so far in this postseason.
I can’t stand it anymore. No one dare to criticize him openly. Well he needs to be traded after this season weather we win it all or not.

Tommy, no they won’t. Take a look at their rotation…Kershaw 21 with nasty stuff but doesn’t have the consistent command yet, Padilla…then Kuroda who is coming off an injury. Not to mention the Phillies lineup is superior.

If we lose this it is sqarely on HAMELS. He cannot make a quality pitch when it counts . He cannot hold a lead of 5-1. HE IS NOT PRIME TIME. He needs a shrink because he is a gopher machine. Speaking of chokes, Jroll is giving us no offense Hoe about some f=ing defense on the double play.

Only three more inngs of this craziness!…… Charlie you are really making begin to turn on you dude…. I know the E wasn’t his fault. But he had a chance to help stop the bleeding…. Now Cole is gone and Happ is in??

Well I have been very critical of Hamels, and while the homers are on Hamels for not being able to settle down, its hard to pin everything on him IF the Dodgers come back. Remember the error. If they got out of that with the double play, who knows what the score would be now. You never know. Never know if Manny would have used his steroids to hit the homer to lead off next, and even if he had, it would be 5-2 now, but because of the error, its 5-4. IF the Phillies lose this its on the error. I think Hamels pitch OK. I would say great, like usual against the Dodgers, I would say horrible.

GWfigthtin I agree with you about the pitch tracker thing. the other part of it that annoys me is they track it where the catcher catches the ball. when it was over the plate it might have been a strike but broke a bit last second. its not even that accurate imo.

Actually ray, if you read my post from alittle while ago, after Happ got out of the inning I said to leave him in to face either. Because I knew that Charlie would do what he did. Use a PH who would do nothing, then bring in Bastardo to face Eithier which is not smart given his lack of experience and the rest is still happening.

So why the HELL can Chan Ho pitch like that out of the bullpen, but suck it up completely as a starter? LOL. I dont get that. If Chan Ho can continue to pitch like that, screw the 2 inning thing, might want to try to 3 inning. Hopefully he can keep pitching like that.

Thats a a STUPID mistake. At first I thought he was safe, and I thought it was BS, but the replay showed he was definately out. Thank god for Raul, now lets keep this and take game one. I have phaith, but I am still not completely comfortable with the bullpen. Depends on Madson. He is either lights out, or crap. Usually one extreme or the other.

Corey Seidman, I wouldnt really say toight is classic. tonight is one of the worst games I have watched on both teams parts. pitching cant do anything for either team. both teams look sloppy in the field. I wouldnt really call this a classic. I would call this a bad game for both teams. now last game against the rockies. that was a classic.

Well, partially true IMO Corey. This is classic because the Phillies are keeping the Dodgers in it. But even with that hats off (sadly) to the Dodgers for getting very timely hits after errors or maybe being caught out of position.

I know that I’ve been Mr. Negative tonite, but J-Roll needs to be dropped in this lineup. He is absolutely killing our O. We can’t continue to give the opp 4 easy outs a game. I say no higher than 7th ahead of only Feliz and the pitcher. The move may also give the buys more rbi opps and an additional ab as well. You would also give the white hot Chooch an extra ab as well. Madson: Thanks for the 2 extra heart attacks. Yours in the 8th and the one coming in the bottom of the 9th….

I don’t know about putting Lidge in even after the double play. Blake really smoked that one.
But I’ll forget that for now. Let’s just see the final out. A win’s a win, and this’ll be one to enjoy if it happens.

Thank you Brad Lidge!!!!!!! Poorly played games over all, but hey, its the win that matters honestly, nothing else. Someone called for Ruiz for the Ashburn, but its hard not to think about Chan Ho for getting out of the inning after the lead off double, and of course without RAUL, this game was a loss. I say RAUL for the Ashburn. Seriously Regardless of the final outcome of these season, I would vote Amaro for the GM of the year, without a doubt. Raul, Cliff Lee, and Ben Francisco, and not giving up the farm on Halladay? WOW.

you’d think a 3 run blast in the eighth that puts up you up by 4 runs would ease your sphinchter…..but no…..now the Lidge Laxitive…thank you Mr. Lidge the subliminal exorcisms i voodooed your way paid off….Smurftacular Save

Well, I might be wrong about Brad getting 100% of his confidence back. But…then again, he went on a tear in the postseason after getting that DP to clinch the division last season. And that was a pretty good slider he threw to Belliard to induce the pop-up. So, we’ll see from now on.

Tonight he threw 18 pitches, 11 for strikes. That’s about what his saves were like last year, only because of his season this year, we expected the worse. He isn’t last year’s Lidge, but he’s improved. We’ll see. Hopefully he won’t have to pitch at Dodger Stadium again, but if he does, and if he gets a save, he’ll be back. Expect him to pitch much better at home for the series.

I haven’t been here all night but I’m interested to hear what people honestly think about the announcers. They never once raised their voice when the Phillies did anything and any slight Dodger increase in momentum really perked them up. It was a great game and I hate to be negative but seriously…I’m so sick of it.

Ed R. – Bad Religion …not bad esp. given the context Los Angles is Burning… the ultimate closer song in my book is the is the intro of Slayer’s “South of Heaven” …Cheesy yes ….but so having your own intro….I’d also be into the opening of the Muppet Show …Man-nah-mah nah… You know I really thought Madson had arived after two inning save to clinch the Division. But Park…man the way he pitched he could negoiate a nuclear peace treaty with Kim Jong-Il

I started this and now I am home. Great win for the phils. Charlie looks liek a genius for sticking by Lidge.
Just wondering how many time outs do the dodgers get per game? I didnt knwo the manager can call time outs from the dug out while our pitcher is in mid wind up? and then we have to wait 5 minutes while thier guy looks for his shoes? I havent read the posts those are just my thoughts from the game. Big win.

My nerves are shot….. Thank you Mr. RAUUUL. Thank you Mr. HOWAD, MR. HAPP, MR. PARK, Mr. HAMMELS(Tough luck; but I thought you pitched really well tonite). The play of the day for me is Happ getting out of the bases loaded jam in the 6th(a hit or a walk their and we probably lose). Second goes to Chan Ho’s master pirece relief app. Third is Mr. Raul’s 3run shot heard round the Dodgers faithful…

Charlie stop making this thing harder than it has to be…. Ditto Madson

HK -Hmmm…Dodger faithful? Are we sure that’s not is an oxy- moron. Lots of empty seats out in LA LA…okay it’s a bigger venue…I just needed to use oxy-moron in a sentence. Excludes “Dodger Fan” who post on here from time to time. He’s very Grumpy Miner -ish…seems to be a straight up baseball junky.

CZ, I had to mute the announcers very early in the game. When they called Kershaw’s throw to first on Hamels’ bunt a “very veteran play”, I couldn’t take it any longer. Kershaw slipped and therefore had no shot at second, so he threw to first. That is common sense baseball, not “veteran play”.

But you know what? It’s better to be the underdog. Nobody expects anything from the Phillies this year (or last year, for that matter). Did you notice how 10 minutes after the Phillies won Game 1 of the NLCS, TBS was talking about the Yankees? So I say, go ahead. Put all the pressure on the Yankees and Dodgers. We’ll get to see a great Phillies/Angels series.

I am so sick of the it’s cool to be late at Dodger Stadium thing. I’ve been to the stadium, and yes, traffic is bad. But you know what, Dodger Stadium in the 2nd oldest stadium in the NL. Traffic has been that way for over 40 years now. If you have been doing this for 40 years, and you think it takes 45 minutes to get to the stadiun, but it really takes and hour and half, well then, it takes an hour and half. Get used to it, stop making excuses.

Who is making their personal stamp all over these wins? Ryan Howard is on fire and we are a part of this history. Watch in awe people. The heavy lumber is definitely coming –
Eh, I would love to see a game 5.
Anyone else?

Seeing a close look into an Apple iPhone 4 beyond the glory and glamour, customers who bought the phone are now recognizing that the new phone is turning out to be an awesome expensive paperweight. With dropped calls are now occuring much more frequently, it is unavoidably a design flaw straight from the designer, Apple. There was a class action lawsuit filed only 6 days after release accusing Apple and AT&T on numerous accounts of negligence.

Taking a more indepth review into the iPhone past the glory and assumptions, customers who bought the phone are finally seeing that the new toy is turning out to be an unexpected expensive paperweight. Dropped calls are now occuring more frequently, it is inevitablely a software flaw straight from the designer, Apple. There was a class action lawsuit filed only 6 days after release accusing ATT and Apple on countless terms of negligence.